There is no difference in role; the terms “military attorney” and “Judge Advocate” or “JAG officer” are often used interchangeably. A Judge Advocate is a commissioned officer in a branch’s legal corps—such as the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps—who is also a licensed attorney. All military attorneys must be JAG officers, and all JAG officers are military attorneys. However, some may use “JAG” specifically to refer to those practicing in full-time legal roles, while others might use “military attorney” in broader public contexts. Regardless of terminology, both provide legal representation, advise commanders, prosecute or defend court-martial cases, and ensure compliance with military law. The distinction is mostly linguistic rather than functional or structural.